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Football: Concussion sidelines CU Buffs' Orms

Junior safety could miss rest of season after back-to-back concussions

By Brian Howell, Buffzone.com

Posted:
10/30/2012 03:06:38 PM MDT

Updated:
10/30/2012 03:08:17 PM MDT

Parker Orms has yet to play a full season at Colorado, and he won't do it this year, either.

A junior defensive back, Orms suffered another concussion in Saturday's 70-14 loss at Oregon. It was the second week in a row Orms suffered a concussion. He has been ruled out for this week and could be sidelined him for the rest of the season.

"Possibly," head coach Jon Embree said Tuesday at his weekly press luncheon. "He was cleared to play (against Oregon), but he took a pretty wicked shot."

Embree would not rule out seeing Orms on the field again this year, but said, "I'm not counting on having him for a while."

The treatment of concussions, especially in football, has changed dramatically in recent years. Studies have shown severe affects of concussions that were not known years ago and teams are much more cautious than they used to be. With concussions in back-to-back games, Embree said he and the medical staff need to be thorough in their evaluation before Orms plays again.

"I want to find out a little more research from the standpoint of high school history, what happened before I got here, as far as concussions," Embree said. "We'll sit down, me, him and the trainer, and see what's best."

Medical clearance won't be the only factor in Orms' return.

"It's not just about being cleared," Embree said. "Some of it is going to be gut instinct for me. I try to treat all these kids like they're my own child.

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It's a great responsibility as a coach, being a caretaker of someone else's child. Parker and I will talk about the pros and cons."

A standout from Wheat Ridge High School, Orms had a season-ending knee injury in the 2010 season opener. In 2011, he missed seven total games, mostly because of leg injuries, but also because of a four-game suspension for violating team rules.

This past spring, he injured his hamstring on the third day of practice and did not participate in the remainder of spring ball.

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